All Fingers and Thumbs

I really enjoyed the post 'small pleasantnesses' on Yarnstorm the other day. I feel that I am happiest when I appreciate the simple luxuries of my everyday life. I thought when I took up knitting that I would find this to be a 'small pleasantness'. I find though that it is growing from this smallness into the mightyness of an all consuming passion. I sometimes think that if anyone else knew how much I thought about knitting they would want to carry me off for a rest cure; luckily I can let most of it out here so everyday life people think it's just a nice, little hobby. Who but fellow knitters could understand my total, crazy joy at these few rows of ribbing that are the start of my Arisaig? Let's just hope she makes it to become an oak. I was pleased with the reception my Flair received today when I took her out visiting. Resisting the urge to say "LOOK WHAT I MADE" the second I stepped through the door I waited a suitably long time for my friend to ...

I'm back in the country but haven't made it home yet, I'm with the 1TB's family until Sunday evening. I would like to go home now mainly so I can cast on for Arisaig so Webbo doesn't get too far ahead of me :) I've had a lovely morning catching up on the blog news from the week having been trapped in a conference hotel with limited contact with the world. Thank you all so much for your kind compliments on Flair - I'm quite looking forward to seeing her again - she shows off her best side in the photos I think! Some knitting was achieved this week on the Chain Rib Socks though not much progress as I had to rip back the heel flap when I mysteriously went down to 26 rather than 27 stitches and could not find where.... After four taggings (thanks Seahorse , Glenna , CraftyDramaQueen and Amanda ) I'm going to give in and let you in on some random things about me. I'm going for Amanda's version with just five things as I'm lazy and won't be a...

....making her blog debut it'sssssssssssssssssssss Flair! Pattern: Flair by Wendy Bernard Yarn: Blue Skys Alpaca Cotton in Thistle. I used about 5 and 3/4 skeins for size L with a few extra rows on the body and the collar. It is the lovely softest cotton but the downside of that is that it is pilling and shedding a fair bit. Needles: 4.5mm/80cm circular and 4.5mm bamboo dpns for the sleeves Started: 11 April 2007 Finished: 20 May 2007 New Skills: First go at top down all in one construction - great for sizing as you go, and saving on the seaming but I did get a bit bored and demoralised on the long rows towards the end. First make one increases which after a couple of slips I got on with quite well. First seed/moss stitch edging. First buttons. Modifications: More length and a higher collar - and so more buttons. Notes: It felt like this was taking a long time so I was surprised to see I only started it on 11 April. I think it felt slow as you could see where it was going from t...

Thank you so much to Webbo , Seahorse and Dreamcatcher for the warnings, advice and assistance over Arisaig . I am in love with my swatch; the 1TB thinks the yarn is definitely addling my brain as I keep waving it at him going "look I made this". "Quite obviously" he thinks as he didn't do it and the cats can't hold knitting needles so it must have been the one that is trying to explain the household insulating properties of yarn. I should say that the crafting fever has got to even him though - he's currently making a latch hook rug for our friend's nephew - with Peter Rabbit on it! My swatch is on gauge I think and I decided that I should be brave and not give up on this beauty at the first hurdle. As guided I searched Ysolda's blog and did some reading up generally on the web and I found that the main concerns centred around the arms not being scaled up in proportion for the larger sizes. I borrowed a copy of the Ann Budd book to check t...

I have surfed the internet waves and fought rival pirates to bring back a haul of treasure to the good ship All Fingers and Thumbs. Normal score - great bargains - couldn't be missed - anyone know how Net Nanny works? - I think I should block Ebay :o) It's all the fault of the Cotton Glace which I've been keeping an eye out for. It is destined to become Agnes from Rowan 35. Just off to check on my latest auctions, hmm - I mean work feverishly on my current projects!!

... seems like we're getting them with interest now! This is me half an hour ago after the walk home. Quite literally soaked to the skin. Thanks so much for the advice on Arisaig - I've been doing some net research and will do some recalculations. How heartbreaking if after all that teeny tiny knitting it was miles out! Off to cuddle up with tea and yarn and warm up :)

All weekend I have flitted from thing to thing and it has been glorious . Pictured here are the chain rib socks, a swatch for Sitcom Chic (wrong gauge and having second thoughts), the start of the easy lace scarf (oh the silk - it is true love), and of course, you know who (better make sure I get on with her or that Dreamcatcher is going to beat me over the line!). The only completion was for the back of Moonlight - mainly to release the Brittany needles as this is a wintry cardi which I don't feel the urge to complete this season, she's gone for a summer hibernation. The greatest pleasure has come from swatching for Arisaig , I am so entranced by the teeny stitches and the emerging pattern is quite magical to me. I feel incredibly proud that I can manage this pattern. I'm not sure I'm quite on gauge as I'm finding it hard to count the stitches in the pattern but I'm going to finish the second repeat and block it and see.